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I love animals. My daughters and I used to volunteer with Kittico Cat Rescue to help cats find homes. At any given time it seems there’s a surplus of animals and not enough homes to go around. It makes me sad.

My dad was a big animal lover. I guess I get my love of animals from him. I brought home cats and there was the occasional dog that would follow me home growing up. He didn’t turn them away, though he probably should have. He wound up feeding a lot of stray cats in the neighborhood. It was an expensive chore, but I loved him for it.

pic by Cherry

Back in May I stopped and picked up a puppy that was trotting along on a busy street in our neighborhood. I couldn’t let it go, he was so pretty and by himself. I didn’t want to see him get ran over. So, I picked up the little guy and brought him home. He is a husky – great Pyrenees mix. He looked tired and hungry.

We named him Scout though I have often thought I should have named him Forrest because he reminds me of Forrest Gump. He is a big baby that thrives on gentle love. He hates to get in trouble and doesn’t respond well to harsh discipline.

He has sky blue eyes, but his left eye is brown on top and blue on the bottom. Scout howls now and then and even says a few mumbled words. He has grown into quiet a character and a wonderful addition to our family. I am glad no one ever claimed him.

Through the years I have loved on many pets and only actually paid for one dog for my daughter. Other than that they have been the cast offs and strays that I have found along the way. Cats, dogs, one bird, and once a few hamsters. Animals are simple creatures to figure out. They need love, food, water and protection.

Here is a picture of Scout now at approximately a year old. He’s a great big boy at 85 pounds.

I used to have the same philosophy with people. I thought people were generally good at heart, circumstances and events happen that sometimes change them over time. I thought it was my role to help and save them. People and animals must want to be saved in order to be helped. You cannot force an animal to trust you. If they have been hurt or abused, trust will take time and patience and there’s the real possibility that you will never be fully trusted and will be permanently kept at a distance though tolerated.

People are the same way, if they have had bad life experiences, others that have betrayed their trust, hurt or abused them, then trust is proven and grown over time with the real possibility that you may never get as close as you wish.

The important thing to remember is we each have opportunities that are specific to us and our environment. You can think about someone you know and tell yourself that “someone” should help them, but they are in your reach – you may be the someone who needs to act.

Take the time to appreciate the people and animals in your life. Take a moment to notice those around you that need you, reach out, you may be the person that can save one more life today. Every human touch of kindness counts no matter how small.